Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Compliance

Published 08/25/2022

Most new hospices are not aware that all Medicare-certified hospice providers must comply with the individual submission requirements of Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), or be subject to a percentage point reduction in their annual payment update (APU). The payment reduction is currently two percent of the APU for existing hospices, but is increasing to four percent of their APU beginning in FY 2024 for all 2022 non-compliance hospices. Payment reductions are based on individual fiscal year reporting.

To assist and support new and existing hospices, the CMS Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) webpage provides detailed information and training a hospice may use to ensure HQRP compliance. Below are just a few of the resources you will find on the CMS HQRP webpage.

  • HQRP Training and Education Library — The purpose of this page is to provide 24/7 access to materials from past HQRP trainings and educational events. Materials on this page are organized by event and listed below in order of the date of release.
  • HQRP Requirements and Best Practices — The Requirements and Best Practices webpage for the HQRP provides updates about reporting requirements and best practice methods to help hospices succeed with the HQRP. Specific resources available on this page include a Provider Toolkit section with “Getting Started” documents and tip sheets for all current and new providers. This webpage also provides resources for the HQRP overall, which currently includes:
    • The Hospice Item Set (HIS)
    • The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Hospice survey
    • Administrative data (Medicare claims)
  • Hospice QRP Announcements & Spotlight — The Announcements & Spotlights webpage provides recent news and updates pertinent to the HQRP. On this page, you will find announcements about newly posted resource guides and factsheets, available Quarterly Update documents and APU updates, among other notifications.
  • Hospice Public Reporting: Background and Announcements — This page provides an overview of public reporting, Care Compare and some general resources for the HQRP.

The CMS HQRP webpages were developed to decrease burden, increase knowledge and provide a smooth transition especially for new and existing hospice providers to learn the HQRP program that is required for all patients in a Medicare-certified hospice.


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